Pagtayo ng resort sa gitna ng Chocolate Hills sa Bohol, pinuna | 24 Oras

GMA Integrated News

13 Mar 202404:15

Summary

TLDRNetizens have criticized the construction of a resort within the protected Chocolate Hills in Bohol, a UNESCO Global Geopark. The resort, which features pools and slides, has prompted the Senate tourism committee to investigate its establishment, questioning permits issued by local authorities. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a closure order due to the lack of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and is seeking clarification on the resort's compliance with environmental regulations. The provincial government of Bohol and the resort owner are being scrutinized for their roles in the development, which has raised concerns about the preservation of this geological wonder.

Takeaways

🏞️ The construction of a resort in the protected Chocolate Hills of Bohol has sparked controversy among netizens and government bodies.
🔍 The Bohol Provincial Board and the Senate's tourism committee are investigating the establishment of the resort, focusing on its legality and environmental impact.
🏨 The resort in question features pools, slides, and other structures built near the famous hills, raising concerns about its compliance with protected area regulations.
📜 The Chocolate Hills were declared a protected area and a National Geological Monument in 1997 under President Fidel V. Ramos.
🌏 The hills are a UNESCO Global Geopark and are part of the island's unique geological identity, formed over 50 million years ago.
🚫 The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a closure order for the resort due to the lack of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
📝 The DENR is also seeking clarification on whether the resort was built before the area was declared protected, which could affect the outcome of the case.
🏢 The local government of Sagbayan, where the resort is located, is also under scrutiny for issuing permits and its role in the construction within the protected area.
🏗️ There is an ongoing investigation into another new attraction within the Chocolate Hills, located in the municipality of Carmen.
📋 The Bohol provincial government has laws limiting what can be constructed in protected areas, and the resort's compliance with these laws is in question.
🏢 The Department of Tourism has not accredited the resort, and there is no record of an application for accreditation as of August 20, 2023.

Q & A

What is the controversy surrounding the construction of a resort in the Chocolate Hills of Bohol?
-The controversy is about the construction of a resort within the Chocolate Hills, a protected area and National Geological Monument, which has raised concerns about environmental impact and adherence to regulations.
Which government bodies are involved in the investigation of the resort construction?
-The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol, the Senate, and the tourism committee are involved in the investigation.
What is the significance of the Chocolate Hills as a tourist attraction?
-The Chocolate Hills are a popular tourist attraction in Bohol, known for their unique geological formation and recognized globally, with UNESCO designating them as part of a global geopark.
What are the concerns regarding the construction of the resort in terms of environmental impact?
-The concerns include potential damage to the protected area, disturbance to the natural landscape, and whether the construction adheres to environmental regulations and permits.
What actions have been taken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding the resort?
-The DENR has issued a closure order for the resort due to the lack of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and has conducted inspections to enforce the closure order.
What is the role of the local government in issuing permits and overseeing construction within protected areas?
-The local government, specifically the municipal government, has the primary duty to issue permits, including building permits and mayor's permits, and to enforce regulations within their jurisdiction.
What is the status of the resort's accreditation with the Department of Tourism?
-As of August 20, 2023, the resort is not accredited and has not submitted an application for accreditation with the Department of Tourism.
What are the legal limitations on construction within the Chocolate Hills as a protected area?
-There are laws and regulations that limit what can be constructed within the protected area, which the resort must adhere to, including obtaining necessary permits and conducting environmental impact assessments.
What is the current situation regarding the resort's operation and compliance with orders?
-The resort has been issued a closure order and is under investigation for non-compliance with environmental regulations, including the lack of an ECC.
What is the role of the provincial government in overseeing the enforcement of laws related to construction in protected areas?
-The provincial government has a supervisory role to ensure that municipal governments enforce laws and regulations related to construction within protected areas.
What steps has the Bohol provincial government taken in response to the resort construction issue?
-The Bohol provincial government has sent recommendations and requests to the DENR to halt any construction within the protected area and is awaiting official feedback from the DENR regarding their investigation.

Outlines

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🏞️ Controversy Over Resort Construction in Protected Chocolate Hills

Netizens have criticized the construction of a resort in the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol, which is a protected area. The Bohol Provincial Government and the Senate's tourism committee, headed by Dano, are investigating the issue. The resort, which features pools and slides, has been built on the edge of one of the hills, raising concerns about its impact on the geological monument declared by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1997. The Chocolate Hills are a UNESCO-listed global geopark and a significant tourist attraction. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been urged to halt construction pending an investigation into how permits were granted for the resort. As of now, no official feedback has been received from the DENR regarding the case.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are a famous tourist attraction in Bohol, Philippines, known for their unique geological formation of over 1,200 hills that resemble chocolate mounds. They are a central theme in the video, as the construction of a resort within the protected area of these hills is under scrutiny. The script mentions the Chocolate Hills as a protected area and a National Geological Monument since 1997.

💡Protected Area

A protected area is a territory designated for the conservation of wildlife, ecosystems, and cultural heritage. In the video, the Chocolate Hills are declared a protected area, which means any construction or development within this zone should adhere to strict regulations. The script discusses the controversy surrounding the resort's construction within the Chocolate Hills, which is a protected area.

💡Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bohol

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bohol refers to the Provincial Board of Bohol, the legislative body responsible for enacting local laws and policies. The script mentions that this board, along with the Senate tourism committee, is investigating the resort's construction within the Chocolate Hills, indicating their role in overseeing the protection and development of the area.

💡Dano

Dano in the script refers to a person, likely a government official or a figure of authority, who is involved in the investigation of the resort construction. The term is used to highlight the active involvement of certain individuals in addressing the issue at hand.

💡Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

An Environmental Impact Statement is a document that outlines the potential environmental effects of a proposed project. In the video, the lack of an EIS for the resort construction is mentioned, indicating a possible violation of environmental regulations and the need for a comprehensive assessment of the project's impact on the Chocolate Hills.

💡

💡Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)

An Environmental Compliance Certificate is a permit granted by environmental authorities to projects that comply with environmental regulations. The script indicates that the resort was issued a closure order due to the absence of an ECC, emphasizing the legal implications of not adhering to environmental standards.

💡Closure Order

A closure order is a directive issued by authorities to cease operations or construction due to non-compliance with regulations. The script mentions that a closure order was issued for the resort in September 2023, highlighting the enforcement of environmental and construction regulations.

💡Municipal Government

The municipal government is the local authority responsible for issuing permits and enforcing regulations within its jurisdiction. The script states that the municipal government has the primary duty to issue cease and desist orders and closure orders, indicating their role in managing the resort issue.

💡Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

The DENR is the government agency in the Philippines responsible for the management and conservation of the environment and natural resources. The script discusses the DENR's involvement in investigating the resort's construction and its potential violations of environmental regulations.

💡Accreditation

Accreditation in this context refers to the official recognition or approval given by a relevant authority to a business or establishment. The script mentions that the resort has not been accredited by the Department of Tourism, suggesting that it may not meet the required standards or has not completed the necessary procedures.

💡GMA Integrated News

GMA Integrated News is a news organization that is seeking comments and statements from the resort's owner and management regarding the issue. The script indicates that this news outlet is actively covering the story, providing updates and seeking clarification on the resort's operations and compliance with regulations.

Highlights

Netizens criticize the construction of a resort in the protected Chocolate Hills of Bohol.

The resort construction has been investigated by the Bohol Provincial Board and the Senate tourism committee.

Dano Tingko, a concerned citizen, questions the legality of building a resort amidst the Chocolate Hills.

The resort features pools, cubicles, and slides, built on one of the hills.

How the resort was built in a protected area is a subject of investigation.

The Chocolate Hills were declared a National Geological Monument in 1997.

UNESCO recognizes the Chocolate Hills as part of a global geopark.

The geological identity of the island, including the Chocolate Hills, took 1.5 to 2 million years to form.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been asked to halt construction within the protected area.

Bohol Provincial Government states that the resort construction was allowed in part of the Chocolate Hills covered by the municipality of Sagbayan.

Another attraction in the Chocolate Hills, covered by the municipality of Carmen, is also under investigation.

Structures and a staircase on the hills are part of a private lot, according to the Bohol provincial government.

Laws limit what can be built in protected areas, and the DENR has sent recommendations to halt construction.

No official feedback has been received from the DENR regarding the Cap Speak Resort.

If the area was part of the Chocolate Hills before 1997, private ownership rights may be recognized despite regulations.

The resort was issued a closure order in September 2023 and a notice of violation in January for lacking an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Municipal government has the primary duty to issue cease and desist orders and building permits.

GMA Integrated News is seeking statements from the resort's owners regarding the issue.

The Department of Tourism has not accredited the resort, and it has no application for accreditation as of August 20, 2023.